Designing and Doing Social Research (U03961)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : SPS-3-SYMETRESA

The course will teach you how to design and carry out social research through practical, hands-on experience. It provides an introduction to the key principles and procedures involved in social research, while also giving you the practical experience you need to confidently carry out your own research project. You will find it essential if your degree involves a dissertation or if you are thinking about a career in research, or if you just want to know how research is done. In addition, many different professional occupations require research skills and the ability to appreciate and assess research done by others.

The course is compulsory for all Sociology honours and most Social Policy degrees.

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : Social and Political Enquiry 2 desirable but not essential.

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Sociology, (School of Social and Political Studies, Schedule J)

Other subject areas

Social Policy, (School of Social and Political Studies, Schedule J)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 3rd year

? Delivery Period : Not being delivered

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 12 weeks

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Monday	14:00	14:50	Central
Lecture	Thursday	14:00	15:50	Central

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course you will:
• Be aware of the principles of research design, what different kinds of research design there are, and the implications of choosing one design over another.
• Have experience with choices, dilemmas and decisions involved in research, over epistemology, sampling, ethics, data collection and analysis.
• Have experience of a variety of qualitative data collection methods and techniques, such as interviewing, visual methods, observation, the use of case studies and vignettes.
• Be able to conduct your own piece of social research.
• Be able to present research findings.